“I didn’t have you pinned for the dirty romance book kind.”
“It’s not dirty, just romantic,” Faye lied. In fact, it was by far the filthiest thing she had ever read – not that she had any others for comparison – and that was the sole reason Faye had brought it with her.
Her sister Lori had found it, hidden amongst the books in their library at home, several years ago. The three sisters fought over who’s turn it was to have the book beneath their bed ever since. When Lori ran away, she foolishly left it behind and Faye had been quick to capitalise on her sister’s mistake. It was a scandalously erotic book, but Faye would be the last person to admit that to Raxx.
The shadow demon smirked at her and Faye scowled, trying to ignore the guilty flush that rose in her cheeks.
“So, are we heading off then?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.
“We’ll eat first.”
“Oh, so you eat but you don’t sleep?” Faye bent at the waist and hefted her and Lori’s satchels onto her shoulder. She gave the room one last look, ensuring she hadn’t left anything behind, before walking past Raxx and opening the door.
“I definitely eat,” he replied. “I’m not a monster.”
Faye shot him a telling look over her shoulder and pulled her hood up to hide her face. Raxx just scowled at her in response. They headed down the stairs and Faye gave the kind demoness from the evening before a wide smile.
“Good morning,” Faye chirped.
“Morning to you both,” the woman greeted them. “Did you sleep well?”
“Very.” Faye sighed. In truth, she hadn’t slept for long, but the sleep she had managed to get had been deep and restful.
“I’m glad to hear it. Would you care for breakfast?”
“If you would be so kind – for two?” Faye said.
The kind demon woman’s eyes flickered to Raxx, the friendly smile falling from her face. She nodded and gestured for them to head into the bar where they had sat the night prior.
“No meat,” Raxx instructed. He pushed past Faye, glancing into the dining area warily.
“You don’t eat meat?” Faye asked, keeping her voice low.
“That depends.” The irritation on her face must have been apparent because Raxx smirked before elaborating. “I eat some fish.”
Faye was surprised. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting from a man who looked so formidable, but she had certainly had not expected him to be the sort that abstained from eating meat. The princess found it oddly endearing.
Having decided the dining room was free of threats, Raxx gestured for Faye to follow him. She dutifully kept her head low as they passed by one or two patrons who were sat enjoying their breakfasts. Raxx sat on the same table as they had the night before and Faye sank down in the chair opposite him. She dropped the satchels at her feet and tucked them beneath the table.
Raxx was on edge. His dark eyes surveyed the other demons in the room. Faye didn’t dare look around too much and pulled her hood down further over her face. After a moment, she broke the tension.
“Have you ever tried mirror trout?”
Raxx’s eyes returned to hers. “I’ve never even heard of it.”
“It’s divine. If you like fish, you’ll love mirror trout. My sisters and I used to request it for special occasions back home.” She smiled, recalling simpler times. What she wouldn’t give to wake up in her bed back in Awrelwood and find this had all been some terrible nightmare. Concern for Lori weighed heavily on her and Faye glanced out of the window, straining her eyes against the bright morning sunlight.
“You glow even brighter in the sun,” Raxx muttered, squinting with a pained grimace. “It hurts to look at you.”
“Oh sorry, maybe if I—”
Two plates were placed in front of them, interrupting their conversation. This time, the innkeeper’s wife didn’t loiter, just smiled and wiped her hands on her apron as she wandered back to the bar. Faye’s stomach rumbled as she observed the meal before her. It looked to be some form of eggs, but she couldn’t be sure. The princess took a large forkful and shovelled it into her mouth. It was delicious.
She and the demon sat in silence whilst they both demolished their meals. Raxx was clearly just as hungry as she was. He finished before her and sat, observing her. With her mouth full, Faye scowled quizzically at him.
“Hungry?” he asked, cocking a brow. He shot her a handsome smile, complete with a set of sharp fangs. Now she had overcome the shock of discovering demons were not as terrifying as she had believed them to be, Faye was beginning to appreciate just how attractive Raxx was.
Faye and her sisters loved gossiping, particularly about attractive men. Much to their disappointment, they had been few and far between back at Awrelwood, but she and her sisters had often passed the time away, sharing secrets and comparing fantasies. She desperately wanted to talk to Lori and Sivelle about this new man she had met. Faye caught Raxx’s eye again and, in a rare moment of bravery, she smiled flirtatiously. She averted her gaze before the demon had a chance to respond and feigned an intense interest in staring out of the window into the wilderness.
